WA and Perth weather: Winter storms with strong winds and heavy rainfall forecast to lash city and south-west

Don’t be fooled by the record hot, dry spell — chaos is about to hit with storms on the way.

The Bureau of Meteorology says there are signs the weather pattern that has dominated much of WA for the past eight months is breaking down, especially around Perth and into the south-west.

“Over the next week, we’re going to see the return of south-easterly winds, we’ll see westerly winds starting to impact the west coast and also cold fronts moving through, starting from Friday,” BoM hazard preparedness and response WA manager James Ashley said.

“It will push up to the Perth area by Friday evening and another cold front moves through on Sunday-Monday, then another cold front in the middle of next week.

“So a real change in the weather pattern. That high pressure system that’s really dominated the weather is retreating and being replaced by a more normal system.”

Mr Ashley warned that a return to a more normal winter weather pattern would bring potentially destructive winds and flooding, which many were not prepared for.

“These systems can bring destructive winds, gusts from 90-100km/h or even higher,” he said.

“We’ve had really dry spell that’s been prolonged for the last eight months over the south-west but it does look like winter will bring more normal rainfall conditions.”

Mr Ashley said average to above rainfall was expected this winter, which meant a chance of flash flooding, especially early as the parched ground tried to soak up the water.

“There’s always the risk of flash flooding but once the ground is saturated that rainfall can run off into river systems, into drains and things like that,” he said.

“But we expect to see a typical winter on the west and south coasts. We expect to see a return and a continuation of the cold funds from the end of this week and right through winter into spring.”

The warning prompted Department of Fire and Emergency Services deputy commissioner operations Craig Waters to urge people into action and tie down their properties.

“The key message for us is not to be caught off guard and now’s the time to prepare your home before we start experiencing storms,” he said..

“We typically see more damage in the early stages of winter because people haven’t paid enough attention to their homes.

“So we’re asking everyone to prepare their homes by clearing all the debris around from their properties, making sure their gutters are clean and the down pipes are free so that water can drain off out of the property sufficiently.

“After such a long, dry spell keep an eye out for built-up leaf litter, loose branches and dead or damaged trees which could break off or fall over in strong winds.

“Preparing your home now will not only relieve pressure on our State Emergency Service volunteers who often respond to urgent calls for assistance, it could save your life and protect your property.”

From May to August 2023, the SES received almost 1000 storm-related calls for assistance, including roof and structural damage, fallen trees or branches and water damage.

PERTH WEATHER FORECAST

FRIDAY: 13-26, cloudy, chance of rain

SATURDAY: 16-24, Partly cloudy, rain

SUNDAY: 13-25, mostly sunny, some rain

MONDAY: 15-23, Cloudy, showers

TUESDAY: 11-22, Cloudy, chance of rain

WEDNESDAY: 11-21, cloudy, rain

THURSDAY: 12-22, showers